BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles have added veteran right-hander Charlie Morton to their pitching staff for the upcoming 2025 MLB season. The signing, announced on Friday, is for one year and valued at $15 million, positioning Morton as a key component of the Orioles' rotation.
Morton, who turned 41 last November, will be entering his 18th season in Major League Baseball. The two-time World Series champion is known for his impressive performance throughout his career, which has included tenures with the Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Last season, Morton pitched 165 1/3 innings, finishing with an 8-10 record and posting a 4.19 ERA over 30 starts.
With Morton now on the roster, he is expected to fill the void left by Corbin Burnes, who signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks for $210 million after the 2024 season. The Orioles, having made the playoffs each of the past two seasons but falling short each time, opted for Morton’s experience as they seek to maintain competitive momentum.
"Charlie brings not only experience but also durability, having pitched at least 150 innings over the last four of five seasons," said Orioles general manager Mike Elias. "We believe he will play a significant role within our starting rotation, which also includes Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, and Dean Kremer."
Morton stands out as one of the league's true workhorses. Joining the ranks of just four others — José Berríos, Patrick Corbin, and Aaron Nola — Morton has made at least 30 starts over each full season since 2018, excluding the shortened season due to the pandemic. His strikeout rate last year was solid at 23.8 percent, with most of his success stemming from his signature curveball, which is renowned for its effectiveness.
Merely sustaining the team’s success won’t be Morton’s only goal. His tenure with the Braves highlighted his ability to perform under pressure, and he holds significant postseason experience with 80 innings pitched across 18 games, sporting a 3.60 ERA during play-off seasons. Morton's leadership will be integral as the Orioles navigate another competitive year.
The transition to Baltimore marks Morton’s sixth team, but his commitment to continuing his career was evident amid earlier speculations about retirement. Morton had expressed interest about playing near his family’s home located not far from the Orioles' spring training complex; Baltimore’s facility is based in Sarasota, Florida, making this signing even more appealing.
Prior to Morton’s signing, the Orioles had also brought aboard Tomoyuki Sugano, the 35-year-old Japanese right-hander, securing him on a one-year contract worth $13 million. With these acquisitions, the Orioles are building depth within their rotation but are still searching for arms with ace-like capabilities to lead their pitching staff.
Last season, Morton had several highlights, including multiple outings where he pitched seven or more innings, effectively demonstrating his capability as part of the rotation. Despite his age, he has maintained significant velocity, effectively averaging 94 mph on his four-seam fastball, and his curve still generates swings and misses at extraordinary rates with low average against, as seen by hitters managing just .183 expected average against it.
On the radar for the Orioles are other potential transactions as they still look to shore up their pitching staff. The majority of experts observed earlier this offseason linked the team to several attractive trade options — including Jack Flaherty and Dylan Cease, though no official movements are addressed at this time.
Morton’s signing reflects the Orioles’ continued trend of strategically investing for immediate impact on one-year deals, which have characterized the regime since Elias took the reins as GM. The addition of Morton and Sugano will likely aid this approach, compensatory for the notable departures and aiming for optimal results moving forward.
Overall, Morton’s experience, celebrated postseason record, and consistency throughout his extensive career will be under the spotlight as the Orioles hope to build upon their previous season's foundations and advance beyond early playoff exits.